American Idol 12 – Baton Rouge Auditions Recap and Videos

So many girls! So many big, big voices. They are all beginning to run together. But I’m not going to lie. In the end, I always support who America decides to hand the crown. But once again (as I did last year) I would love for one of the girls to take it all for the first time since 2007. Contenders from tonight who could take it all include Maddie Assel, (she of the big bluesy voice and adorable grandmother), and the plucky Megan Miller, who was game to audition, even with a bum leg.

But tonight, there were a couple of guys who could give the gals a run for their money. The quirky Charlie Askew and his angelic voice could go far if he’s got an interesting repertoire. He’s a diamond in the rough to be sure, but he’s got the raw materials for a super duper Idol growth arc. Fans love an under dog. If he can handle the pressure, he’s got a chance. Paul Jolley has got the goods and seems to be versatile. He could definitely be a contender. And lastly, Burnell Taylor has a very special talent and a compelling backstory as a Katrina survivor. I’m keeping my eye on him.

As I expected, the narrative surrounding the dynamic between the judges has changed. Whether they actually did or not, the Baton Rouge auditions were edited to show Nicki and Mariah coming to a place where they can co-exist peacefully, even if a little snark slips out now and then.

One of the last shots of the night had Keith calling Nicki “Mariah” by mistake while Mariah rolled her eyes. Earlier, when Mariah was going on and on about how she related to young Charlie and his struggles, there was a shot of Nicki rolling her eyes. Nope, these two are never going to be best friends. And the producers aren’t going to let us forget it. It’s reality TV y’all.

By the way, I am still Team Nicki all the way. But I love my side of Keith. Nicki continues to delight with her quirky honesty. I so want a Nicki nickname. And Keith continues to add intelligence and humor to the proceedings in his own quiet way. Randy continues to be a waste of space. And Mariah? If she could get over herself, she might be a decent judge. I was eye rolling right along with Nicki when she turned the convo around to herself during Charlie’s critique.

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Live blogging the American Idol 12 Baton Rouge Auditions right here!

It’s the HOMETOWN OF THE DAWG Y’ALL.

Former beautician, Mariah is touching up Randy. Is that part of the management contract she signed with the dawg?

Megan Miller – 22 – Ethel, LA – “Somethings Got a Hold On Me” Current Miss Baton Rouge. She was involved in an accident 3 DAYS AGO. She was supposed to stay in the hospital, but she left. NO WAY WAS SHE MISSING HER AUDITION. She has surgery scheduled afterward. She’s got a big bluesy voice. There are quite a few of those making it to Hollywood this season. It’s definitely shaping up to be a battle of the girls. She upends her crutch to use as a microphone. “If you can sing you can sing!” exclaims Randy. Nicki calls her a superstar. The judges love her pluck, and her ability to rise above a set back. Mariah calls her endearing. “You just went at it!” says Keith. All together, they yell YES. Megan invites Keith to come along with her to surgery. UPDATE: Megan’s surgery was a success! She’ll be heading to Hollywood crutch-free.

Charlie Askew – 17 – Little Rock, AK – “Breakthrough” by Queen – He’s always been very socially awkward. He doesn’t fit any diagnosis, though. Music has helped him connect. Charlie has Chris Colfer syndrome, actually…meaning his voice hasn’t changed much. Which isn’t a bad thing AT ALL. He’s got a pretty impressive range, but his phrasing is a bit odd. He’s a very strange guy, but kind of intriguing. Nicki asks him if he’s been through puberty yet. He has. Aw. Nicki names him “Mystery Man”. Randy calls him a “strange, seemingly dark cool guy.” Keith LOVES his voice. He says his voice “is not of a gender.” Mariah identifies with him using music for escapism. Oh Mariah. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU ISN’T IT. NICKI EYEROLL FOR THE WIN. Mariah thinks he could shake things up in the competition. 4 yeses.

Maddie Assel – 17 – Centreville, VA – “Oh Darling” by The Beatles – She’s one of those “Friends and Relatives” deals. Her grandma nominated her. Randy heads to a big party where she is performing to deliver the news. WOW. She’s fantastic. The battle of the big voiced girls continues! Adele, Haley Reinhart and Beyonce have influenced her. Keith says she doesn’t sound like any of them. She’s got her own style. Yeah, she does have that blusey, confident Haley Reinhart thang going on. IT’S 4 YESES. Grandma, waiting with Seacrest, dressed colorfully with an umbrella. What a character!

Paul Jolley – 22 – Palmersville, TN – “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts – SINGING IS HIS CALLING IN LIFE. And he’s doing it all for GRANDPA. He’s got a very pure, clear, country tinged voice. There’s a little Broadway in there as well. I’ll bet this guy is pretty versatile. Nicki thinks he has a “nice texture” to his tone. “I like your vibe and that you have a sparkle in your eye.” she says. Mariah likes that he exudes confidence. Keith says his song was a “great crafted vocal performance.” After he gets his golden ticket, he cries with his family, thinking of grandpa.

Chris “Mushroom” Barthel– 24 – Metairie, LA – “If I Had You” by Adam Lambert – He performs with an alter ego, which he hasn’t named. Lucky, Nicki helps out! She dubs him “Mushroom.” Maybe because he’s blond and doughy? He looks like the Pillsbury doughboy. He also appears to be hopped up on adderal. Unsurprisingly, this dude is a total joke. The judges are cracking up. The manic dance moves are a nice compliment to the horrible singing. Adam has nothing to worry about. “I like the keys that song was in,” says Keith. LINE OF THE NIGHT. “You are very entertaining,” says Mariah. “Mush, If you let me run my hands through your hair, you will be blessed forever,” says Nicki. “Thank you very mushroom.” I LOVE HER SO SO MUCH.

Dustin Watts – 27 – Albany, LA – “Shes Every Woman” by Garth Brooks – “YOU GOT A GIRLFRIEND,” Nicki asks the handsome firefighter. He’s got a decent country croon. Sorta Tate Stevens, part deux, but younger and better looking. This guy could definitely amass a fan base. “I think you’re doing it with ease,” says Nicki. She sees him as a country star. 4 yeses. “You save lives every day,” says Nicki, “We love you fireman.” After nabbing his golden ticket, he stops by the firehouse to deliver the good news to his homies. They are very excited.

Burnell Taylor – 19 – New Orleans, LA – “I’m Here” from the Color Purple – He realized he knew how to sing after his family lost everything in Katrina. This emotional tune from a Broadway musical is an interesting song choice, and Burnell totally kills it! What an instrument. He’s a softspoken guy, but when he sings, he totally opens up. He has a real gift. Standing ovation from the judges! Mariah is crying “Burnell’s tone is ridiculous. I felt every word you sang.” Nicki says, “We’ve been flying all around the country for that. That was just entertainment.” Randy says, “Amazing voice.” Keith says, “Somewhere there’s a spotlight waiting for you to walk into.”

Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted.I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!

I can’t believe the judges are going to take it all the way down to 10 (with maybe some wildcards). There are so many good auditions that I check the top 40 and they don’t even make it that far. I think the best seasons were when they started fan voting at the top 24 or more. I think they could more likely miss out on someone the fans would love when they narrow it down to so few contestants before the fan vote.

I’ve learned over the years that you really can’t put too much emphasis on the first audition. The contestants have been practicing and perfecting their 2 songs forever, so they often sing a lot better than when they get into the later rounds and have to take on songs that they don’t know and don’t have the time (and help?) to prepare them.

Maybe I’m jaded but it kind of gets under my skin when these auditioners say…oh it’s for my family, kids, pet rock ect…I think most people just want to be rich and famous and say it’s for everyone else just so they won’t seem selfish lol. I would rather they say I want to be a star. I want to rock! Much more believable.

maymirabella

Could he fit wgwg cute guy winner type?

dabney c

I also miss the Top 24 semi-finals of seasons past. Although it was a bit tedious listening to crappy cannon fodder, it did build excitement for “the big stage” phase of the show.

Also, someone like David Cook would likely not have made it to the Top 10 under the current system because he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to give a game-changing performance like “Hello”.

I’m just shocked at some of the girls from the last two nights who haven’t even made it that far. I guess that means many of the other girls will be REALLY good…but some of these girls I really liked. I haven’t watched the auditions in years though, so maybe I’m overrating some of these people (though I remember auditions from years ago being mostly bad.)

maymirabella

All I care about is some change that keeps few of the wgwg in and more solid girls with good stage presence, want a girl to win o much

justmefornow

Why would you give up being a doctor to go on Idol, lol.

beanowl

I predict that the winner of this season’s American Idol will be Amanda Brown.

fuzzywuzzy

I’ve felt that way in previous years too, but some of my favorites from the first auditions have really crashed and burned in Hollywood.

Funny I was just thinking the same thing (thinking if there are more good girls this year maybe they should put through more girls than guys)…and then I thought about it more and realized the girls would probably split votes up too much and the few guys that WERE there would likely cruise right through to the end. The main thing is, we just need a few REALLY good females be so good that people can’t deny them.

justmefornow

He could do a lot more good for people staying a doctor than becoming singer with maybe one hit album. Just saying. Keeping it real.

Makes sense, but he obviously wants to pursue a career in music and since that’s (i assume) his passion, I say go for it. He can always go back to be a doctor if it doesn’t work out.

fuzzywuzzy

I haven’t noticed. lol That’s probably because I never pay any attention to Randy.

maymirabella

Oh my, if this guy makes top ten, I predict he wins…wcg.white country guy and fireman

tucker davis

How could you not like ‘the fireman?’ seems like a cool guy!

Incipit

.. someone like David Cook would likely not have made it to the Top 10 under the current system because he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to give a game-changing performance like “Hello”.

I respectfully disagree, dabney c. David Cook is widely noted on some of the Idol blogs and sites as having had the smartest approach to the run at the crown. Had the rules been changed, then I submit that his strategy would have changed as well…he would have realized it was necessary.

Having said that, I also much prefer the way Idol was set up in Season 7 – with the Top 24 semi-finals…the “one and done” isn’t kind to anyone, IMO.

Incipit

.. someone like David Cook would likely not have made it to the Top 10 under the current system because he wouldn’t have gotten the chance to give a game-changing performance like “Hello”.

I respectfully disagree, dabney c. David Cook is widely noted on some of the Idol blogs and sites as having had the smartest approach to the run at the crown. Had the rules been changed, then I submit that his strategy would have changed as well…he would have realized it was necessary.

Having said that, I also much prefer the way Idol was set up in Season 7 – with the Top 24 semi-finals…the “one and done” isn’t kind to anyone, IMO.

I’ve got my eye on you Charlie Askew. This could be a VERY interesting journey. I have a sneaking suspicion that if Charlie makes the lives, he’s going to blossom into one delightfully weird performer.

tucker davis

Ok, Bernell (Katrina boy) was exceptional! Love that they are showing more talent than ever.

Wait..that’s it????? one hour.

elliegrll

How are they going to play Jennifer Hudson singing “I’m Here” instead of Fantasia. That didn’t make any sense, Fantasia OWNS that song.

the last guy was good. I hope that they give him a fair shot.

dishwalla

David Cook is widely noted on some of the Idol blogs and sites as having had the smartest approach to the run at the crown.

It also turned out to be a curse for Cook. His performances like Hello and Billie Jean have been so tied forever to Idol that he was never able to establish an identity away from the show.

kmd23

I really liked Charlie and Paul. I think Burnell does have a good voice.

dabney c

Hard to say, Incipit. I think Cook was looked at as cannon fodder all along, until he suddenly sprinted past Archie and Michael Johns and the rest of the producers’ early favourites. I’m not sure he would have been voted into the top 10 after one single opportunity to showcase his stuff. Maybe yes, maybe no, but imo, the semi-finals system was a good fit for his type of contestant. Of course, it’s impossible to know what would have happened, but it’s fair to suppose that a mid-pack contestant like Cook benefitted from the extra voting episodes.

fuzzywuzzy

I feel kind of the same way and I don’t think it’s “bad”. lol

tucker davis

I agree. I started watching regularly in Season 5, and think that David Cook has been the most intelligent winner I’ve seen. No offense to the others, but someone has to be Top of the Class. Every time I’ve heard him since then validates my opinion.

dabney c

Joshua 2.0. Standing O’s, but Jimmy will have nothing to do with him, sadly.

I think Joshua was better. Still mad at Jimmy for teasing us about making a record with Joshua, then dumping him unceremoniously. :-( .

justmefornow

Not that’s it relevant but I have a BA in Graphic Design from Rutgers University and I’m a graphic artist for a local newspaper. Do you have a HS Diploma? Just saying ;)

Had the rules been changed, then I submit that his strategy would have changed as well…he would have realized it was necessary.

Leaving aside the hypothetical actions of past competitors… Under any method of breaking people to finals, there’s a strategy or two that has a better chance of success. The competitors who are strategic thinkers will tend to figure it out and play it.

Under the current regime, we should see jockeying for camera time in Hollywood, since the quicker and broader the initial cut, the more important it is to come into that first voting round with somewhat of a fan base.

fuzzywuzzy

I’m still puzzled by Jimmy being so clear about signing Josh during the show, and then nothing happening after the show ended.

maymay

From Brian Mansfield about Paul Jolley:

OK, here’s a weird moment for me. The next contestant, Paul Jolley, won a contest I judged at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., a couple years ago. I wondered if I’d see him here this year (Brandy Neelly is also a Beech Bend contest alum). His version of Rascal Flatts’ I Won’t Let Go wins over both the women. Keith Urban tells him he had a “great, crafted vocal performance.”

I’ll admit it up front: I’m going to pull for this guy. He’s a good one.

Did I seriously just read this???? He was incredible and his selection has nothing to do with his race….

Trina

Seriously. God knows every black male who gets a standing ovation or moves a judge to tears, well it must be because of race, right? It couldnt just be a matter of one not getting what people saw in that person. I LOVED Josh and I think Jimmy appreciated his talent but in the end he probably looked at what happened with Haley and Pia and decided he rather not sign someone who doesnt have an enormous fanbase and/or isnt very current and risk losing a lot of money.

Oh and I’m totally going to end up stanning hardcore for Paul Jolley. I’m still swooning over his voice hee.

Josh is a very talented singer and everyone had to admit on the show, but he isn’t easily marketable outside his fanbase. Although I wish he could have a chance to get a record deal I can easily understand Jimmy’s decision to not sign him.

Anyway, some good talent tonight. LOL @ Keith saying “Mariah” while looking at Nicki, and their reactions were funny too.

KelseyW

For a second I thought Charlie was going to be a joke audition. He’s different, but has a charm about him. Kinda reminds me of Siobhan in a few areas.

Maddie….She was good. She growled a bit too much for my liking, but that’s okay. Because she called out HALEY as one of her musical influences!! :D *ProudFanMoment*

Oh, and it’s nice to see someone say out loud what I’ve been thinking for once. Sometimes I wonder if my fan glasses are on too tight though. Especially when several female contestants voices and mannerisms have been reminding me of Haley since last season. Makes you think about how much influence a good Idol can have over future contestants.

Incipit

His performances like Hello and Billie Jean have been so tied forever to Idol that he was never able to establish an identity away from the show.

IMO, That does not compute, dishwalla.

Since “Hello” and the Cornell arrangement of “Billie Jean” are rock, as was the first single, “Light On”, (which went platinum), and many other songs DC chose to sing on the show, I don’t see how that would not match the identity of a rocker….or the songs on that first platinum album. The sales don’t read like an Identity Crisis. It wasn’t Idol songs that were the curse, IMO…it was the popularity of that AC Coronation song, and the way RCA reacted…with subsequent singles. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference a real song to sing as a coronation song, in the winner’s actual genre, can make to anyone, or my hope that Interscope continues in the future to avoid the wretched treacle that Sony was so fond of hanging around the winners’ necks. Never again.

dabney c

I understand when these kids don’t get signed, but Jimmy was so vocal about making a record with Josh – even after the finals during media interviews. Josh was even given the chance to showcase a new song at that NYC iheartradio event along with the other 3 signed idols (Jessica, P2, and Colton). So, something happened along the way to the signing, and I’m not sure what it was. Were they hoping for a better response to his new song?

He’s definitely niche, just as Colton is, so I figured Jimmy would know that he wasn’t going to be marketed to mainstream. And why has nobody else picked him up? I’m not his target audience and yet even I’m baffled by this apparent snub.

mjsbigblog

Reminder:

Please keep this thread on topic! Which is American Idol Season 12.

cheese1

I liked Maddie, Charlie and Burnell tonight. Burnell didn’t remind me of Joshua at all. He was much easier on my ears.

Paul Jolley was really unappealing to me. I hate that “share my gift with the world” stuff. That’s just another way of saying “I’m God’s gift to singing.” In the end, he just sounds like Clay Aiken singing a Rascal Flatts song and the world does not need that.

“Mushroom” reminded me of how bad the lyrics to If I Had You are, lol

tomr

Loved Bernell!! Raw talent. Love that he is NOT a retread! Better than almost everyone last season. Will be pulling for him.

The writing is on the wall; American Idol is evolving into Country Idol.

maymirabella

Winner will then be wcgwg,,,lol

maymirabella

So another guy winning is what this would mean,ugh

maymirabella

Yes I think fireman is winner this year if he makes it into top ten

maymirabella

He is good but I am bias, desperately wishing for girl to win so this yr,first time eve, refuse to root for any guy lol

maymirabella

I hope any girl wins but with five consecutive guys, uphill climb

maymirabella

Oh no,wanna girl not any guy that fits that wgwg mold or cute boy thing that gets votes

sdmama

Mr. Watts has double “t”, too. My money is on him, too. LOL.

elliegrll

As Team Nicki as I am, it bugged me how she bitch-faced when Mariah was talking to Charlie.

That reaction shot was edited in, so we have no way of knowing whether it actually happened during Charlie’s audition or not. It wouldn’t be the first time that the producers decided to do some creative editing to show reaction shots that didn’t actually happen.

forwarddad

@ajrabin. Please keep talk about spoilers away from this site.

fantoo1

I have to say, the auditions this year are already miles better than last years. A lot more fun.

To be honest, it’s probably all edited to pieces. We have no idea what is edited or not. Mariah looking at Nicki or saying certain things to her could be edited as well as the other way around. Last night Randy kept switching chairs during the same audition and judges’ comments. Even the televised judges’ comments are probably not what was really said to contestants n the audition room.

blackberryharvest

I don’t know why, but Charlie reminded me of that Brett Loewernstern kid from Season 10. Maybe it was the social awkwardness.

Xentusk

Maddie has a little country in her voice…like a combo of Haley + Lauren Alaina I’ll forgive her being OTT performing the day after you found out you are auditioning for AI. The raw talent is there though…

Xentusk

A little perspective…if this were XFactor, there would be an overloud music track and a bunch of people screaming during the performance and critique…. (Not to forget TweedleKim and Tweedlopez)

mjsbigblog

REMINDER:

KEEP SPOILER DISCUSSION OUT OF THIS THREAD.

GinaBallerina

I find Nicki’s eye-rolling disrespectful. Mariah is her coworker, and I wouldn’t be able to do that to my coworkers out in the open. Not to mention I’m not getting paid millions of dollars. Plus, if the Judges of American Idols Past could be polite sitting next to Randy all those years, Nicki can listen to Mariah for a minute.

Aside from basic respect and human decency, Mariah has a unique perspective as the best-selling female solo artist ever. She might have something valuable to say.

elliegrll

The judges have not always been polite and respectful to one another. In fact, they’ve often been very unprofessional, even with the contestants. Pretty much every judge has been guilty at one time or another.